From Tamara Atkinson, CEO at Workforce Solutions Capital Area
As we close out 2024, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your incredible support and dedication to the Mobility + Infrastructure Sector Partnership this year. Your hard work and commitment, both individually and collectively, have been instrumental in driving meaningful progress for the M+I sector and our community.
Throughout this year, you have generously shared your time and expertise through various working groups. In particular:
- You played a key role in developing the ‘Making a Living, Making Austin’ slogan, which will help elevate the visibility of infrastructure careers and highlight their vital role in our city’s growth.
- Your efforts have been instrumental in shaping recruitment and pipeline initiatives, with a strong focus on engaging young people and women in these fields. In our initial outreach to young people, we’ve heard from over 1,300 individuals about what they are seeking in a career, and these insights will be invaluable in diversifying and strengthening our workforce for the future.
- The working groups have also focused on identifying transportation solutions to better serve both employers and employees within the M+I space, ensuring that workforce mobility is not a barrier to opportunity.
AUSTIN’S INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY
A particularly exciting development that has emerged thanks to your valuable insights is the concept of the Infrastructure Academy. This idea has now become a reality, with the City of Austin approving the resolution in March and committing $5 million in resources this October to create career-building pathways for individuals seeking to enter the infrastructure sector. Additionally, Austin Community College has stepped up with a commitment to build a best-in-class facility that will support in-person engagement and hands-on training for aspiring workers.
Mid this year, a Design Committee was established to guide the development of the Academy, and your contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping its vision. Along with this committee, we have engaged key stakeholders, employers, training providers, and community-based organizations to inform and refine the academy’s design. These collaborations have ensured that the Academy will be grounded in the real-world needs of both workers and employers in the sector.
Looking ahead, our focus for 2025 will be on bringing the Infrastructure Academy to life, with the goal of making the service delivery model a reality. With your continued support, we are confident that we can create a lasting legacy that will strengthen the infrastructure workforce and provide long-term benefits to the Austin community.
WHAT’S NEXT?
We want to ensure that you are kept informed as we move forward into the new year. To help answer any questions and provide additional clarity, please refer to the FAQ that outlines the latest development. Please take a moment to review it at your convenience, and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
Also, I’d like to invite you to our upcoming Sector Partnership meeting on January 30th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Workforce Solutions Capital Area North office. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity to discuss our progress, review next steps for 2025, and continue shaping the future of the Infrastructure Academy and the sector as a whole. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you once again for your dedication, insight, and partnership. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to make great strides in the new year.
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